Peter the Great Absolute Monarch of Russia

Background O Became czar (ruler) in 1689 O Part of the Romanov dynasty O Very tall O Crude humored O Punishments were ruthless

How He Held Absolute Control O Claimed the divine right to rule O Reorganized the military O Centralized the Government O People feared him

Military Changes O Reorganized the army O Employed both Russian and European officers O Drafted peasants for 25 year service terms O Built a standing army of 210,000 men O Peter is credited with forming the first Russian navy

Government Changes O Centralized the Government O Divided Russia into provinces (territorial unit) O Hoped to create a “police state” O Well-ordered community governed by law

Westernization of Russia O Peter was determined to westernize or “Europeanize” Russia after making a trip there O Introduced western customs, practices, and manners into Russia O Upper class women gained from westernization O Allowed to mix more freely in society

St. Petersburg O Became a “window to the West” O Port with ready access to Europe O Construction was finished during Peter’s lifetime O Remained the Russian capital until 1918